The U-S-D-A has designated ten counties in western and central Minnesota as a primary disaster area due to drought. Farmers in those, and 16 adjoining counties, will be eligible for federal loans to help cover their crop and livestock losses. The primary disaster area counties are: Big Stone, Chippewa, Kandiyohi, McLeod, Meeker, Pope, Sherburne, Stearns, Swift and Wright. For more information, click here.